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  • Beyond the Beach: Where to Make Waves in Prince Edward County 🎣 🛶 ⛵
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Beyond the Beach: Where to Make Waves in Prince Edward County 🎣 🛶 ⛵

 

Sandwiched between Lake Ontario and the Bay of Quinte, with many rivers and lakes running through it, Prince Edward County is all about water, with more than 800 km of shoreline and tons of H20-based ways to enjoy it.

Here are a few beyond-the-beach ideas for water-playing your way around The County.

Shoreline Exploring

Prince Edward County was once a peninsula, until construction of the Murray Canal swing bridge in Carrying Place severed it from the main land. Sight-seeing by water offers a unique view — and is just as beautiful as from the land. It’s the perfect way to see birds and marine wildlife up close.

Paddle the Black River in a rental from Cabin Fever Kayak. Photo: Cabin Fever Kayak

Easy Paddler: Cabin Fever Kayak or PEC Kayaks can set you afloat in a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddle board. Cabin Fever Kayak launches on picturesque Black River, with only the sounds and sights of nature as your companion. Wonderfully relaxing, it’s an eco-friendly way to explore coastal marshes and bucolic vistas. Paddle the meandering waterway six kilometres southwest into the nearby town of Milford. Head east into the waters of South Bay for a close-up of McMahon Bluffs, a protected nature reserve.

Bonus: Cabin Fever Kayak’s watercraft are made and sold in The County by Demorestville-based Clearwater Design. So, if you liked the test paddle, check them out, and take one home.

Hoist the Sails

Pull up anchor, raise the sails and catch the breeze. Sailing is a fun, often invigorating way, to enjoy The County by water.

Take off under sail with Stay and Sail. Photo: Stay and Sail

Aye Aye Captain: Departing from Waupoos Marina, Stay and Sail offers private and group cruises (up to eight guests) aboard the Tzarina, a 34-ft. C&C sailboat. Captains Moira and Brent offer several cruising options, from a two-hour sail around the waters of South Bay to half and full-day excursions that include anchoring for swimming, snacks and light refreshments. There’s also a four-hour cruise that covers sailing basics.

Not ready to jump ship? Then spend the night, lulled to sleep by the gentle roll of the water, in one of two sailboats that Stay and Sail rents out as accommodation. Both are docked in the Waupoos Marina.

Learn the exhilarating sport of kiteboarding with AirTime Kiteboarding. Photo: AirTime Kiteboarding Facebook

Wind And Water: Try a different kind of sail with AirTime Kiteboarding. The four-year-old company, based out of a private beach on West Lake near the Sandbanks, helps you harness wind power with kiteboarding lessons and rentals. Catamaran lessons and rentals are also available.

Hook, Line, and Sinker

Cast your line – and your luck – into the waters of Prince Edward County. Not only is Lake Ontario a plentiful fishing ground, but the Bay of Quinte – the Walleye Capital of the World —  is an angler’s dream.

Fishing is world-class in Prince Edward County. Photo: Meal On A Reel Charters

For Charter: Fish with the pros who know the waters and where and when and what to catch . Meal On A Reel Charters and Bay of Quinte Charters are just two of several fishing specialists who can help you hook walleye, salmon, lake trout, pickerel, bass and perch. Charter season runs May through to late November. Rods, bait, tackle, beverages and food are provided. All you need to bring is a valid fishing licence. For more charters, fishing and boating advice, see our complete listings.

Wilki’s Tackle Box in Picton lures you in for fishing supplies. Photo: Wilki’s Tackle Box Facebook

Gear Up: Whether you arrived in The County rod-less, or just need bait, Wilki’s Tackle Box has every angler’s back, from novice to pro, with everything from rods and reels to minnows and worms. Canadian Tire in Picton is a reliable go-to as well. Not only is the fishing-gear department well stocked, but you can pick up a fishing licence if you don’t have one. There’s also plenty of other equipment to float a fun day on the water, from boats to inflatable toys.

B-Y-O-B(oat)

Whether you’re a resident boater without a home dock, or a sail-in, motor-up or haul-your-own-watercraft visitor, The County has “boat parking” and several public launches. Pull up to the following locations:

Enjoy a glorious sunset from Waupoos Marina. Photo by Andre Croteau

Marina Moorings: In addition to offering public boat launches, Picton Marina and Harbour, Waupoos Marina and Wellington Harbour provide overnight and seasonal docking with access to hydro and water, fuel, washrooms and showers, and pump-out facilities (Picton and Waupoos only). The Glenora Marina is an excellent stop for fuel, rentals and repairs.

Float Your Boat: There are also eight municipal boat launches conveniently located around The County’s most popular bodies of water. Sites include Big Island, East Lake, Northport, Prinyer’s Cove, Rossmore, Weller’s Bay, and Wellington Beach.

Drop your canoe in the water at a conservation park, like HJ McFarland. Photo: Quinte Conservation website

Non-motorized watercraft have launching options, too. Many are located in conservation parks, including Massassauga Point, where parking is $5 for the day. Or municipal boat launches, such as H.J. McFarland or Glendon Green, where parking is $10. For a fee, non-motorized watercraft can also be launched onto the Black River from Cabin Fever Kayak.

Whether you fly the club’s colours, or a pennant of another, Prince Edward Yacht Club welcomes sailors. Photo: PEYC Facebook

Ahoy Sailors: Sail into Prince Edward Yacht Club and dock awhile. Located on picturesque Picton Harbour, downtown Picton’s restaurants, shops and art galleries are within easy strolling distance. Guests from other sailing clubs enjoy reciprocal docking privileges.

Splash About

Kid-perfect: Sand-and-surfed out, but the water-babies are still clamouring for a good soaking? Try the nautical-themed Picton Splash Pad, located at the Picton Fairgrounds, adjacent to the glorious Crystal Palace. Please note COVID protocols in advance of your visit. You can also picnic there, with bring-your-own grub, or grab takeout from across the street at Angry Birds, PEC’s answer to Swiss-Chalet-St. Hubert.

Water-esque Ideas

There are also many ways to appreciate PEC’s marine beauty without dipping toes, rods, paddles, sails or motors into the water. Here are a few land-lubber options:

Two museums tell The County’s storied marine history. Photo: Karen Palmer

Marine Museum-hopping:  Explore The County’s symbiotic relationship with the waters that surround it at two great museums. Located in South Bay, Mariners Park Museum, with its distinctive lighthouse and recreated circa-War of 1812 fort, is home to many recovered shipwreck treasures and tales of fishing, ship-building, rum-running and more.

The Naval Marine Archive: The Canadian Collection in downtown Picton celebrates marine and naval history. The museum houses an art gallery, ship models and plans, books and nautical papers, charts and more.

On The Menu: A County dining must-try is the local, fresh-water catch-of-the-day, often perch or pickerel. And, of course, all food tastes better enjoyed with a side of waterfront!

Cider and dine with a gorgeous lake view at The County Cider Company. Photo: Johnny C. Y. Lam

Check out these restaurants for their beautiful waterscape panoramas, all unique in their own way: County Cider Company (Lake Ontario), Drake Devonshire Inn (Lake Ontario), The Lighthouse  Restaurant (Picton Harbour), The Restaurant at Waupoos Winery (Lake Ontario), The Restaurant on the Knoll at Isaiah Tubbs (West Lake), and The View at Picton Golf and Country Club (Picton Bay).

For classic County-caught fish and chips, try the Blue Sail on Main Street Picton, which has a fish market attached. Or Sand & Pearl, voted one of Canada’s best new restaurants by en Route magazine and a smorgasbord of delights from the sea.

By Karen Orme, owner/operator Runaway Rooster

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Visit The County is the DMMO for #PrinceEdwardCounty, a rural community bursting with creative talent & natural stunners.

Prince Edward County 🍅🍴🌽🍷
💃 Dance it Out 🕺⁠ ⁠ Whether you want to 💃 Dance it Out 🕺⁠
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Whether you want to take to the floor yourself or you prefer to sit back and appreciate the art form that is dance, these upcoming performances and dance parties are for you. ⁠
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🕊 @flightfestivalpec takes place from August 9-14 on the @festivalplayers stage at @eddiepec. Enjoy a dynamic week of contemporary dance performances, workshops, and community engagement. ⁠
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You're invited to receive 25% off 7 PM evening performance tickets for Tues, Aug 9 & Wed, Aug 10 by using the code: FLIGHT25 Head to festivalplayers.ca to purchase your tickets. ⁠
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🎻 JOURNEYS the @biglake_arts Festival 2022 season takes place from August 12-19 and presents music from the past and the present, originating from different countries and influenced by disparate cultures from around the world. One such performance "Fiddle N Dance" presents traditional Celtic fiddle tunes and songs, plus some dust-kicking, championship-winning step dancing among the apple trees @lochmorciderco. Explore the full program at biglakefest.com⁠
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🌾 Want a chance to dance it out weekly? Head to the @the_hayloft_dancehall for their Saturday night Barn Party. Featuring live performances or a DJ, The Hayloft is one of the best spots to get your body moving on a Saturday night here in The County. Be sure to book your tickets in advance to enjoy this iconic County experience. ⁠
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🌄 More of an early riser? Join us for the weekend of August 20-21 for ALVAR by the @deptofillumination at @Base31. ALVAR is a free festival celebrating this unique and precious ecosystem of the Great Lakes region, and both days of the festival begin with a Sunrise Dance Party. ⁠
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🍷 Okay, it's true: we love a barn dance! Join Karlo Estates for their DJ Barn Dance on the first Friday of each month from 6-9 PM alongside wines by the glass and vegan bar nibbles. ⁠
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For more information about these and other events where you can get your groove on, head to visitpec.ca/events. ⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC
☀ Long County Weekends ☀⁠ ⁠ It's hard to b ☀ Long County Weekends ☀⁠
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It's hard to believe, but the second long weekend of summer is here! We hope to see you here among the sand and vines. ⁠
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Keep in mind, though, that @sandbankspp is an incredibly popular spot on this long weekend. So much so that Day-Use access has already sold out July 29 through August 1st. So we ask that you please don't proceed to Sandbanks without your reservation already secured. North Beach is sold out on July 30 & 31 with some availability August 1.⁠
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But don't worry, there's still plenty on the go this weekend for you to enjoy...⁠
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🍷 Enjoy a tasting at one of our 40+ wineries, being sure to download the PEC Wine Explorer App to help plan your outing (link in bio). Want to explore beyond the grape? We also have countless breweries, distilleries, cideries, and meaderies to whet your palate with. ⁠
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🖼 Enjoy a weekend of art with events like like Art & Design: Indigenous Artists' Exhibit and Sale @TheCountyMuseums, titled \ untitled @2galleryPEC, Outlet | new paintings by Andrew King at Mad Dog Gallery, and Energy and Light featuring works by @tom.ashbourne and @claudia_mccabe_art at the @CountyArts Lab⁠
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🛍 Discover local wares at @wellingtonfarmersmarket, @wellingtoncommunitymarket, @pictontownhallfarmersmarket, check out the weekly trunk show @mustangdriveinpec, or browse handmade works at the one-day Pink Cow Market @lalalandglassstudio⁠
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🎭 Catch the final weekend of The Shape of Home as part of @festivalplayers or experience the joy of the Roamin' Theatre Roulant by @stationroadarts, performing Boxcar Cowboy this weekend @base31pec 
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To discover even more activities and events to fill your long weekend with fun, head to VisitPEC.ca or check out our Events story highlight. ⁠
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Image description: A masculine hand holds a small tasting glass while dining al fresco. In the background, a server holds a bottle of Closson Chase wine, displaying the label after pouring. ⁠
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Image by Daniel Vaughan⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC
🎶 Music in the Air 🎶⁠ ⁠ If you're lookin 🎶 Music in the Air 🎶⁠
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If you're looking to add some live music to your upcoming visit to PEC, we've got you covered. Here's just some of the musical events you'll find on our event listing on VisitPEC.ca (link in bio): ⁠
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✈ Live music @base31pec kicks off with a concert by Sarah Harmer this Friday, July 22. Tickets still remain for this event, as well as for their other upcoming concerts from David Wilcox and Bedouin Soundclash. ⁠
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🤠 This Saturday, July 23, Music From The Vineyard Country Music Festival at @terraestatewinery features a fantastic selection of country music artists alongside local artisanal pop-ups.⁠
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🎼 Enjoy a series of performances of chamber, choral, and orchestral works from students and esteemed faculty artists each weekend from July 23 - August 14 as part of the @musicatportmilford Festival. ⁠
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🤘 Step back in time with classic rock cover concerts like @tommyyoungsteen's Very Best of The Rolling Stones at Crystal Palace, or the Epic Eagles Tribute @RegentTheatrePicton, both on July 30.⁠
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🍷 Enjoy a free jazz guitar performance from @aaronnash.ca at @exultetestates on July 31 while sipping away on estate-grown wines.⁠
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🎸 Attend weekly blues performances at the @countybluesbarn at @hilliercreekwinery from performers like Harrison Kennedy and The Johnny Max Band. ⁠
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🎻 @BigLake_Arts 2022 Festival season JOURNEYS kicks off on August 12 for a week of epic classic musical performances from world-class, international musicians. ⁠
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🎷 PEC Jazz festival returns from August 16 - 21 for a fantastic selection of jazz performances popping up throughout Prince Edward County. ⁠
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For our full line-up of events including music, theatre, comedy and so much more head to VisitPEC.ca/events for details. Link in bio 👆⁠
Image courtesy of @exultetestates⁠
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Image description: Jazz guitarist Aaron Nash performs on a patio in summertime, the golden hour light making for a magical scene. ⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC
🍃 PAUSE 🖼⁠ ⁠ Pause is a unique experienc 🍃 PAUSE 🖼⁠
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Pause is a unique experience that encourages you to pause. Learn to engage all your senses and embrace the beauty of nature, then bring that beauty into a piece of art that you created under the guidance of an experienced encaustic artist.⁠
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Inspired by the Japanese tradition of shin-rin yoku or more commonly referred to as forest bathing, you’ll be led on a meditative nature walk by a local herbalist. During this meditative walk, your guide will help you to connect to nature, identifying local plants, and teaching you about their medicinal and healing properties. The idea is that you will feel a sense of calm and clarity that will inspire a piece of art that you create yourself.⁠
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After your nature walk, you will then return to @meltstudiogallery, where you will compose a collage encaustic painting. Guided by an experienced encaustic artist, you will create an original art piece using items that you collected during your walk, along with some additional pieces if you choose that will be provided.⁠
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Book your PAUSE experience today or head to VisitPEC.ca/experience-the-county/ (links in bio) to explore other special County experiences designed to help you immerse yourself in our local art, agriculture, nature, and history.⁠
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@hawthornherbals @honeypiehh @susanwallisart⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #ExperienceTheCounty #PAUSE #MeltStudioGallery #ForestBathing #EncausticPainting
🎤 Make 'Em Laugh 🎤⁠ ⁠ Want to add a dose 🎤 Make 'Em Laugh 🎤⁠
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Want to add a dose of laughter to your PEC visit? Book tickets to an upcoming comedy show for an uplifting experience. ⁠
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🍏 Take in some comedy among the apple trees with Comedy at the Cider House on July 16 - a delicious partnership between @comedycountryfestival and @countycider. ⁠
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🍺 Enjoy an evening of belly laughs in the beer garden @gillinghambrewing. The next County Craft Comedy event is July 22, but you can look forward to these events monthly through December! ⁠
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🛶 A highlight of the pandemic summers of 2020 & 2021, Comedy on the River is back this year for two nights of floating fun. Join @comedycountryfestival and @cabinfeverkayak on August 20 and September 10 and laugh your way through this award-winning experience. ⁠
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🏳‍🌈 We're Funny That Way, a Queer Cabaret Comedy Festival, is making its comeback at @base31pec over Labour Day weekend. A benefit for The Rainbow Charity Network, we can't think of a better way to spend the final long weekend of summer. ⁠
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Want to check out our full line-up of events including comedy, music, theatre, and more? Head to VisitPEC.ca/events for details. Link in bio 👆⁠
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Image by @gillinghambrewing⁠
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Image description: A comedian performs at one of Gillingham Brewing's County Craft Comedy nights outside under a blue evening sky. The crowd can be seen in the beer garden, laughing away. ⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC
✈A Destination in Progress ✈⁠ ⁠ The rumour ✈A Destination in Progress ✈⁠
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The rumours are true -  Loch Sloy, Camp Picton, The Heights - whatever name you have known it by, is now revamped and under new management, and we're giving them warm welcome in our latest blog post! Check it out at the link in our bio to learn more about what you can expect from @Base31PEC this summer and beyond. 👆⁠
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Can't wait to check out this destination in progress for yourself? ⁠
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🎫 attend the free Community Open House this Saturday, July 9th⁠
🎙 grab tickets to the grand re-opening of the historic Drill Hall on July 22nd, featuring Sarah Harmer in concert⁠
🚶‍♀️ learn more about this historic location through a site tour, happening every Saturday through September 3. ⁠
📍 Check out the businesses you know and love located at Base31, like @meltstudiogallery, @escapecamppicton, @maison.depoivre, and more!⁠
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For even more information about what's to come from Base31, head to VisitPEC.ca/blog⁠
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Image description: The weathered tiles of two barrack buildings at Base31 - one green, one brown, layer beautifully under a blue sky in golden-hour light. Above the image is a white banner which reads "Introducing Base31, a destination in progress in PEC". ⁠
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Image by @JohnnyCYLam, used with permission from @Base31 ⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC
🐴 Bloomin' Welly Alpaca Trekk 🌳⁠ ⁠ This 🐴 Bloomin' Welly Alpaca Trekk 🌳⁠
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This experience with the alpacas @noblebeastfarms is a perfect event to kick off your day in The County. Have FUN in the great outdoors. Silence your phone and let the busyness of life slip away while we engage your senses exploring our heritage alpaca farm.⁠
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Meet and walk a special alpaca. Feel the softness of alpaca fibre, watch their smiling faces and learn about some of their unusual behaviours. And no farm visit would be complete without seeing some of the baby alpacas (cria)! ⁠
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Inspired by the two hip and hoppin’ towns that flank Noble Beast Farms — Bloomfield and Wellington — this experience is suitable for guests of all ages wanting to slow down, reconnect with nature, and of course alpacas!⁠
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If that sounds like a perfect outing for you, book your Bloomin' Welly Alpaca Trekk  today or head to VisitPEC.ca/experience-the-county/ (links in bio) to explore other special County experiences designed to help you immerse yourself in our local art, agriculture, nature, and history.⁠
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Video by OneLook Productions⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #ExperienceTheCounty #NobleBeastFarms #Alpaca
🍽 Go Beyond the Menu 🍽 To visit The County 🍽 Go Beyond the Menu 🍽  To visit The County is to taste The County, and with more than a dozen Chef-driven restaurants on our little island it's hard not to find a memorable farm-to-table experience.  But if you're looking to go beyond the menu, why not check out an upcoming culinary event featuring exciting collaborations and special tasting menus paried with entertainment and education about the food and drink you're eating and where it comes from.  🎙 Join @ParsonsBrewing for one of four Concert and Dinner Series events throughout July. Enjoy a 4-course tasting menu served in the intimate setting of their harvest tables followed by live music in their Beer Hall. Featuring music by Kathleen Edwards, The Soul Motivators, Tokyo Police Club and Jeremie Albino.  🐖 Head to @QuintaDoConde for one of two celebrations highlighting great food and sustainability. Table at the Farm Harvest Supper on July 2 is centered on lamb, while Pig the Great on July 16 showcases the pigs that are born and raised on the farm.  🌿 Join @ChefChris2112 for County Flora, a special 6-course plant-based meal celebrating the early summer harvest at @TheWaringHouse.  🍷 Celebrate cool-climate chardonnay with a farm-to-table dining experience at @EddiePEC with food by @littlejohnfarm and wine by @brokenstonewinery, @clossonchasevineyards, and @rosehall_run.  👩‍🌾 Head to @EdwinCountyFarms as the table is set for an unbelievable evening with @Out_InTheField featuring guest chef Coco Gaona from @culturatiempo.  🍽 Head to @karloestates on Saturday nights throughout summer for Karlo “À La Carte,” a summer concert and dinner series where you can enjoy a delicious one-plate meal paired with a 3-flight guided wine tasting, all while listening to a rotating selection of local musicians.  For more information about these culinary events head to VisitPEC.ca/events or the link in our bio. 👆  Image description: Folks seated at the harvest tables at Parsons Brewing having just finished a delightful meal.  Image by Daniel Vaughan of @VaughanGroup  #PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #DiscoverOntario #Picton #VisitPEC #TheCounty
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